For the past two years, the badminton world has been buzzing with rumors about a romantic relationship between badminton star Aya Ohori and Malaysian men’s doubles player Ong Yew Sin.
Both players recently participated in the 2024 Indonesia Badminton All-Star Invitational, where two specific interactions caught fans’ attention. In one instance, while Ong Yew Sin was interacting with the medalists, a nearby female player pointed at Aya Ohori and seemed to say something to Ong Yew Sin, who responded with a laugh as Aya Ohori playfully patted his head. In another moment, Cheuk Yiu Lee, who was seated next to Aya Ohori in the cheering section, looked toward the aisle where Ong Yew Sin was standing, pointed at Aya Ohori, and smiled knowingly.
Previously, insiders in the badminton community hinted that Aya Ohori and Ong Yew Sin have been in a long-term secret relationship, with this recent interaction sparking more speculation among fans.
Aya Ohori, who stands at 169 cm, first came to Malaysia in 2015 for the Purple League. During an interview, she mentioned how friendly Malaysians are, adding that she’d told her parents she’d like to settle in Malaysia and hopes to marry a Malaysian after her retirement.
It seems possible that Aya Ohori and Ong Yew Sin have known each other for quite some time.
Later, Ong Yew Sin even posted a photo on his Instagram with Aya Ohori and Arisa Higashino. Eagle-eyed fans noted that Aya Ohori and Ong Yew Sin were standing very close to each other, with their hands almost touching.
Today, a Malaysian social media outlet even fueled the rumors by posting a picture of Ong Yew Sin and Aya Ohori allegedly wearing matching outfits while shopping, captioned with: “An open secret, best wishes to you both.”
In 2020, Ong Yew Sin and his partner Teo Ee Yi were dropped from Malaysia’s national team by the Badminton Association of Malaysia. However, they achieved success soon after, winning bronze at the 2021 World Championships. But since their title win at the 2020 Thailand Masters, they’ve had a four-year title drought, with their best results this year being semifinal finishes at the German Open and China Open.
Meanwhile, Aya Ohori has been blossoming in her career. With Nozomi Okuhara facing setbacks due to injury, Aya Ohori has taken on the role of Japan’s second women’s singles player. Last year, she won bronze in women’s singles at the Asian Games and has since claimed gold at the Thailand Masters and Australian Open this year, along with a semifinal appearance at the Super 1000 China Open.
Best wishes to this potential “Condor Heroes” couple of the badminton world.
